After being locked in a tight battle for the game's first 30 minutes, the Harper College men's basketball team pulled away from Triton in the closing minutes to pick up a 66-60 conference win.

The Hawks (12-9, 4-2 N4C) took a 43-42 lead on a Kevin Sexton (/Prospect) (game-high 16 points) 3-pointer with 9:55 to play. Sexton hit another crucial three a few minutes later to make it 51-47 and drilled another one to make it 56-49.

Kevin Walsh (/St. Viator)'s basket with under four minutes to play gave Harper a 60-51 advantage. The Trojans (15-7, 4-2 N4C) cut the lead to 60-57, but Harper responded as Charles Wright (Cheyenne, Wyo./Cheyenne East) (10 points) scored on a pretty feed from Will Botefuhr (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect) with 1:32 remaining. Bradley Reibel (/Prospect) scored on a wide open layup to extend the lead to seven.

Walsh scored 13 for the Hawks in the victory while Reibel pitched in nine points. Donovan Smith led the Trojans with 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. Chad McDowell also scored 13 for Triton.

Harper jumped out to an early 21-8 lead in the game's first 12 minutes, but Triton closed the half on a 20-4 run to take a 28-25 advantage into halftime. The Trojans held their biggest lead of the game, 42-35, with 11:39 to play in the second half.

The win moves the Hawks into second place in the N4C standings. Joliet tops the conference at 5-1 while Harper, Triton and Rock Valley all share 4-2 records. The Hawks have defeated both Triton and Rock Valley this season.

Harper is back in action Wednesday night inside the Wellness & Sports Center for a 7 PM tip against Madison (4-16, 1-5 N4C).